Politics

Maine Democrats Pass Resolution Calling For Police Reform

By • Jun 12, 2020

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Democratic Party says it's incorporating opposition to police brutality into its platform this year.

Commissioner Says Federal Aid For Maine Agriculture, Forestry Programs Is Inadequate

By • Jun 11, 2020
Susan Sharon / Maine Public File

Maine's Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry says those three sectors have been underserved by the federal pandemic relief programs.

African American Lawmakers Call On Maine's Political Leaders To Speak Out Against Systemic Racism

By • Jun 11, 2020
Kevin Bennett / Maine Public

Around the country, governors, mayors and CEOs are responding to the death of George Floyd and the massive outcry from Black Lives Matter by joining protesters, reviewing police policies and pledging to make change. 

Collins Pushes Second Round Of PPP Loans For Some Small Businesses

By • Jun 10, 2020
Al Drago / AP Images

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is urging the Trump Administration to support another round of forgivable Paycheck Protection Programs (PPP) loans for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

Political Scientists Say Maine Candidates Could Face Consequences For Skipping Debates

By • Jun 10, 2020
MAINE PUBLIC ILLUSTRATION / PHOTOS BY MARK VOGELZANG/MAINE PUBLIC AND GAGE SKIDMORE/FLICKR/CREATIVE COMMONS

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Sara Gideon skipped a televised primary debate Monday night, and Republican U.S. House candidate Eric Brakey says he will also pass on a broadcast debate Wednesday. Some political science scholars say that’s a risk for campaigns, as voters want to see candidates debate the issues.

Portland City Council Begins Review Of Police Policies In Wake Of Protests

By • Jun 10, 2020
Caitlin Troutman / Maine Public

In a change of agenda Tuesday, a Portland City Council committee reviewed practices and policies of the city's Police Department, such as hiring, use-of-force training and how public complaints are handled.

Coalition Urges Maine Voters To Approve $15 Million Internet Expansion Bond

By • Jun 9, 2020

A ballot committee comprised of business and non-profit groups is asking Maine voters to approve a $15 million bond to expand high-speed internet across the state.

Mills Announces New COVID-19 Guidelines For Tourist Season, And Quadrupling Of Testing Capacity

By • Jun 9, 2020
Nick Woodward / Maine Public

Gov. Janet Mills on Monday unveiled an alternative to her 14-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state visitors. The change comes as the state also announced that it will soon quadruple its testing capacity for the novel coronavirus.

Protesters At The Maine State House Demand End To Police Violence

By Lauren Abbate - Bangor Daily New • Jun 8, 2020
Troy R. Bennett / Bangor Daily News

AUGUSTA, Maine — In the shadows of the Maine State House well more than 1,000 protesters peacefully gathered and marched, demanding an end to systemic racism and police violence in the United States.

Maine DA To Defy Attorney General To Charge Officer In Death

By • Jun 8, 2020

BANGOR, Maine - A Maine district attorney says she will prosecute a former police officer who shot and killed a teenager if the state doesn't.

Mills Extends Deadline To Request Absentee Ballots Before Primary Election

By • Jun 5, 2020

A coalition of Maine advocacy groups is welcoming an executive order by Gov. Janet Mills that gives Mainers more time to request absentee ballots and submit voter registration applications by mail or third person in advance of the primary and state referendum election on July 14.

Trump Visits Rural Maine Swab Manufacturer Amid Swarm Of Supporters, Protesters

By • Jun 5, 2020
Rebecca Conley / Maine Public

President Donald Trump on Friday returned to Maine for a visit designed to reaffirm his appeal with rural voters and to reframe his heavily criticized response to a coronavirus pandemic that threatens his bid for a second term.

William Cohen: Republican Senators Must Speak Out Against Trump

By • Jun 5, 2020
A.J. Higgins / Maine Public file

Former Republican U.S. Sen. and Secretary of Defense William Cohen of Maine denounced President Donald Trump’s use of the military in Washington, D.C., earlier this week to clear the way for a photo-op, and said current Republican senators are derelict in their duty for not criticizing his leadership.

Judge Denies Temporary Restraining Order In Maine Activist's Road Closure Case

By & • Jun 5, 2020
Rebecca Conley / Maine Public

A federal  judge has denied a request from a Blue Hill activist to stop the police from closing roads around the town of Guilford, in advance of President Donald Trump's visit there today.

Committee Rejects Motion Calling For Maine Labor Commissioner's Resignation

By • Jun 4, 2020

On a narrow vote of 6-5, the Legislature’s Labor Committee rejected a Republican-sponsored motion calling for Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman to resign. Members of both parties were critical of Fortman and the Mills administration for failing to appear before them to discuss problems with the unemployment program.

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